I've made arrangements to share a wireless signal I can pick at my office. I currently have an indoor setup that is picking up an unsecured set up. It works ok but has drops and disconnects occassionally(usually connects at 11mbps) plus I feel quilty using it. Anyway a business about 350-400 feet away has agreed to allow me to share their wireless. Im looking for an outdoor antenna to hook up to my computer. I've got D-link airgap plus card I can put in my computer that this outdoor antenna would work with. Of course I'd like to connect with as fast a connection as wirelessly possible without breaking the bank. Any of you network gurus have any suggestions?

Is there a better way to accomplish my goal? Something added to their router? Suggestions and links to educate me would be appreciated. TIA Pete

Pete is your computer wireless now? is their network open or is it a private network? If its a private network you will need to have the passkey to join the network. There is a program out call inssider it will show you all the wireless networks in your area. Inssider is a free program that gets downloaded on to your computer.

Obviously your computer is wireless now and the network you connect to is not secured and I assume this 'business about 350-400 feet away' is either not secured (really dumb on their part) or they are willing to give you a passkey or are willing to add your MAC address to their setup.

There are commercial booster antennas available such as http://www.cantenna.com/ - try a Google search on "wireless booster" for more.

http://www.cantenna.com/howtouseit.html

Monte,
Yes currently I have a Hawking Technologies Hi Gain Wireless G usb dish adapter that picks up several wireless networks around me. All of them are secure but one, the one I've been using for a little while. I don't feel right using this unsecured network so I've made arrangements to share one of the secured networks I pick up. They have agreed to help me set up my computer to enable acces to their wireless.

Dale,
I agree to have a wireless setup unsecured isn't the best thing to do. I've used that unsecured wireless connection for about 6 months or so and feel guilty hence the reason I asked to share a secured network around me. Unfortunately now that I've asked and they have agreed I can no longer pick up their signal, go figure. What I'd like to do is either enhance their output or find an antenna that will once again pick up their signal. I do have a wireless g D-link airplus 511 pci card I could put in my computer and hook an antenna capable of receiving their signal. Pete

Look into a Wireless Repeater, a.k.a. a Range Expander. That should do the trick.


Guilty.. Yep.. Depending on your state and the ISP for the Unsecured network.. it may also be illegal.

Big D